Death toll in Masbate ferry sinking up to 13

MANILA (AFP) - A ferry sank in the central Philippines on Thursday leaving at least 13 people dead and more than 100 missing, the military said.

The military spokesman for southern Luzon, Lieutenant Colonel Rhoderick Parayno, said the 400-tonne ferry MV Blue Water was carrying 256 passengers and 14 vehicles.

"We have received reports that there are 108 survivors and 13 dead," he told reporters.

He said the vessel went down in the Sibuyan Sea off the southern tip of Luzon island early Thursday while en route to the island of Masbate.

"We dispatched two helicopters but they found nothing," he said.
"They had to turn back as bad weather set in."

He said a naval vessel had been sent to the area to help in the search.